health – Zents Music Studio

Peace, love and joy to you.

Published on July 22, 2022July 22, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

I’ve started watching travel videos.

https://youtu.be/0GZSfBuhf6Y

I’ve reflected on apartment dwelling.

https://youtu.be/RL7BECNn-RI

I’ve been trying to be present for life in the now.

I have been weeding things out everyday to better organize my life, and feel happier.

So I’ve decided to take a little hiatus from my daily blogging.

Sorry. I just need a break.

Exercise at the gym and playing ping pong with my life partner, husband and best friend Jim makes me motivated to be a better woman.

At least it helps me get focused on creating a better home-life.

Hubby is fully retired now.

I still work, albeit part-time.

Although he is not currently employed, hubby works at home to make the place cooler (installing air-conditioning,) pitching in on chores with gardening, cooking and being my chauffer when we go out together. ❤

He is a helpful husband.

Even though we haven’t got any vacation plans until November, every day spent at home with hubby is like a vacation for me, especially when the weather is nice.

While growing up in the big city of Toronto was over-stimulating and fun, living in outstate Minnesota has its perks as well.

Fresh air, parklands, Farmer’s markets, a big fenced-in backyard, and ample free time to enjoy it all is great!

Hubby likes to keep current on the news.

I like to keep current on the birds at the bird-feeder, the local temperature, recent amounts of rainfall, and what to eat.

Wednesday Diet Wisdom: Appetite Considerations

Published on July 20, 2022July 20, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

So are you full?

Do you notice it when you have had enough to eat, or do you let the appetite needle swing into the red before you stop eating?

Eating to fullness is not the way to drop excess weight.

True, each meal is a time of rejoicing, but it is also a time to reflect on what it is we desire from our food.

A good meal is fresh veggies and lots of air on your plate.

😀 If you wish to plan your meals in advance, and the amounts you think you need, it will help you to enjoy your weightloss journey with less stress.

Tempting foods abound.

Plan your meal work, and work your meal plan.

You can do it! And so can I!

This radio gal loves to eat, but knows to quit when she’s had enough💕

Wednesday Diet Wisdom: The Obesity Cycle

Published on July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

Once you get fat, it’s a very hard trap.

I call it the obesity cycle: overeat, repent, repeat.

Once you get to a certain weight or a certain BMI, it can be very hard to change to get slim again.

For many people, getting fat only leads to getting fatter.

To make significant weightloss happen, it is clear that the solution to obesity is far more harder to achieve than prominent Weightloss Companies may promise, to say the least.

Yes, it’s true that exercise is the key to a healthier body, but so is what we eat on a daily and nightly basis.

Too many calories can make us fail in our quest to get fit and trim.

Today I am in the repentant phase of the obesity cycle.

For over a month I counted every little calorie that went into my mouth. Suddenly, counting calories began to be very tiresome.

So, after stepping on the scale at the orthodontist clinic yesterday, I saw that I was up 3 pounds because I recently quit counting calories.

I need to start counting my calorie intake again!

I had oral surgery yesterday and I’m kind of spent.

Keep fighting the fine fight and don’t let yourself get too fat.

If you’re already too fat, continue to get proper nourishment and lots of exercise, fresh air and rest, but continue to count calories and if you can stand it, be sure to get on the scale to check your weight.

If you fell off the weight reduction track, get back on-board

P.S. All diet advice by me is my opinion and does not reflect on any professional advice. Lose weight at your own risk.

Wednesday Diet Wisdom: Gym life

Published on July 6, 2022July 6, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

Three times a week hubby and I work on strength training.

However, every morning when the sun comes up we go to the pool at the Recreation center!

So after joining the gym we have gotten into the habit of exercise.

Whenever it is time to eat we focus on high fiber and high protein.

Of course being vegetarians it takes extra effort to eat protein and we find it in many good foods including lots of vegetables, soy products, nuts, nut butters and eggs.

Having a garden helps.

Tasty homemade pizza full of protein and fibre I cooked for noon lunch yesterday 😋

This morning after I rose at 5:30 I took things that were in the freezer. I cooked them in my steamer.

My big house cleaning project yesterday was to clean the fridge and freezer.

Anyway once we get home we like to play outdoor ping pong. That’s our thing we do as a couple. No holds barred! We each play to win!!!

Time to eat now

Every day instead of asking what do I want for dinner? Ask what do I want from dinner?

Stay active, grow slender and be strong.

Like they say, if I can do it you can do it!

P.S. All diet advice by me is my opinion and does not reflect on any professional advice. Lose weight at your own risk.

On the Tube: Home Economics 1954

Published on July 4, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

Stockings and skirts were the norm in the 1950’s

So things have changed for homemakers in the 21st century.

Women rarely do many of the chores and tasks of yore.

The home economics classes of the past promoted some great ideas for those who wanted to live a classy life, but many of those ideas have disappeared from our consciousness.

I watched this hilarious YouTube about some modern-day women who took a 1954 home economics test.

https://youtu.be/OE6E1sWhgZ8

Wednesday Diet Wisdom: Early Bird Exercise Experience

Published on June 29, 2022June 30, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

This morning I was up at 5:15am.

I planned on going to a 5:45am strength-training class at the Recreation center I’d recently joined.

When I got there I was surprised to see how many overweight, obese and over-50 ladies there were there. Not all were fat, however. Some looked great, and a few were younger than the rest.

I was thrilled there was a good turn-out so early in the morning.

But, I was frustrated with the look of the space. It seemed crowded.

I was not wearing a mask, and neither was anyone else!

Instead of jumping into the strength class, I got on a parallel elliptical machine to tighten my thighs, and then I rode a stationary bike that had a video game on it.

That was pretty cool.

I have an online membership included in my gym package and I have free weights at home.

Back home I did some stretching with the video to loosen up my shoulders and back.

It’s important to warm up before you exercise too.

Before I left for the gym this morning I made a cold caffeinated beverage. Ice cubes, oatmilk and a shot of espresso from my Nespresso machine.

It didn’t burn my tongue like the usual hot coffee I make every morning, but I didn’t think it tasted all that great.

I will start weight-training at home today.

As for my weightloss journey, I an thrilled to say I am close to no longer being categorized as obese.

Since I started in May I have dropped 12 lbs. I hope to drop another 12 pounds by mid-August .

Then I will no longer be classified as obese!

I look forward to the time when I will not be in the overweight category either.

I want to be able to be in the normal weight range again and dress up in cute retro-outfits like this.

But, it all takes patience and time to make it to your goals.

And I always track my calories on my Samsung Health app.

Tracking my calories on my cracked smartphone as usual

P.S. All diet advice by me is my opinion and does not reflect on any professional advice. Lose weight at your own risk.

Fitness Paradise

Published on June 28, 2022June 30, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

Today and every day I get to go workout and go swimming! 🏊‍♂️

I love to swim!

I joined our local community recreation center!

The recreation center director was kind enough to have one of the employees give my husband and I the grand tour.

Spin classes. a specially treated comfy walking track, a giant pool and exercise equipment, all at our disposal!

All that swimming made me hungry!

Wednesday Diet Wisdom: Don’t Get Dressed in the Dark

Published on June 22, 2022June 26, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

So today I had my bra on inside out and my pants on backwards!

I was dressing in the dark so hubby might sleep.

I felt this was an analogy for not eating blind.

You need to shed light on your nutrition and your physical condition.

I am sticking to my calorie-tracking, never exceeding 1450 calories a day, and raising my metabolism by weight-lifting and cardio.

My pants are feeling looser and this week I found my good measuring tape.

I plan to fill in my measurements chart tonight with the help of my husband. It always helps to have someone measure you. But, you can also do it by yourself.

Just like knowing your weight and size, (and how to get properly dressed,) knowing your calories and nutrition is important for weight reduction and getting healthier.

Plan your work and work your plan and do it for yourself!

Food and focus go hand in hand.

Eat right. Feel right. Look right. Dress right!!! 🙂❤

P.S. All diet advice by me is my opinion and does not reflect on any professional advice. Lose weight at your own risk.

Ode to my Catalpa Tree

Published on June 18, 2022June 18, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

My Beautiful Mature Catalpa Tree

In my back yard there are lovely blossoms scattered all around my Catalpa tree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalpa

I sat under the tree inspired to write some poetry.

Gorgeous fruit pod and blossoms of the Catalpa tree

This is what I came up with.

“Ode to My Catalpa Tree.”

By Amy Zents

“Showering Spring flowers sail off my Catalpa tree,

Bearing pods that hang like handmade jewelry.

A tree so stunning beyond compare,

Your heart-shaped leaves so lovely,

Make me stop and stare!”

Wednesday Diet Wisdom: What They Don’t Tell You

Published on June 15, 2022June 15, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

Food and drink are only two parts of the weightloss puzzle. There is more to it.

It’s amazing how many things contribute to your health and fitness.

For one thing, consider your metabolism.

Some people can digest certain foods better than others. Some people can burn more calories than other people can.

For those in the Western world, our high-fat and high-carb SAD (standard American diet) is the harbinger of many terrible diseases.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443908001828#:~:text=Abstract,%2C%20metabolic%20syndrome%2C%20and%20diabetes.

Drastic dieting doesn’t help either.

Besides being unsustainable, your body might slow down your BMR (basal metabolic rate) because it’s afraid you are going to quit eating altogether. Then it will be really hard to lose weight.

The best way to increase your metabolic weight is exercise.

No one tells you about your fat mass, skeletal muscle, viseral fat, or bone mass among other physical metrics that affect your health.

You are a chemical marvel, and your body is an amazing and organic, ever-changing, ever-responsive constant companion who should be loved and cared for as long as you live.

Regardless of your shape and size, educating yourself about how your unique body is composed and how it reacts to nutrients and nourishments is vital.

I am still counting calories and I am beginning to lift weights to improve my BMR and get stronger, among other things.

Weight-training is great for overall health.

There is so much they haven’t told you about your wonderful self.

Take care of your body, support it, love it, nourish it and exercise it and your body will take care of you in amazing ways, especially as you get older!

I may not be skinny yet, but I love life and I love my amazing body now that I have learned more about it, and how to care better for it!

P.S. All diet advice by me is my opinion and does not reflect on any professional advice. Lose weight at your own risk.

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